LIB DEM CHOICE FOR MACKWORTH ANNOUNCED

7.19.17pm GMT Thu 2nd Nov 2006

Simon Lysaczenko has been hard at work campaigning in Mackworth and listening to people's concerns

The man who in 2004 came within 240 votes of taking Mackworth off Labour has been selected to fight Mackworth for the Liberal Democrats again next May.

Simon Lysaczenko said "I welcome the opportunity to campaign for Mackworth and Morley. I have already been spending the last few months surveying local people's opinions.

"I have listened to local people's priorities and am determined to fight for them.

"I am proud to have the chance to stand as a Liberal Democrat. The Lib Dems are providing the only opposition to a Council ran by a Labour/Conservative alliance that is cutting vital local services.

"People have told me how concerned they are about Council cuts. Like the closure at the weekend of Lancaster Sports centre. The cuts to pavement repairs and the hundreds of pensioners and disabled people who have lost their meals on wheels and other homecare services.

"When I last stood for Mackworth, in a by-election two years ago, it was a really close race between myself and Labour. Next year's election in Mackworth ward looks likely to be another close race between the Lib Dems, and new Labour."

Leader of Derby Liberal Democrat Councillors Hilary Jones said "Simon would make a first class Councillor for Mackworth ward. Whilst Labour in Mackworth have spent months arguing amongst themselves about who should be their candidate, Simon has spent that time listening to local people's concerns."

END

Notes: Last time Simon Lysaczenko stood in Mackworth ward was the July 2004 by-election the result was

Labour 1180

Lib Dem 941

Conservative 290

UKIP 287

BNP 182